



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT: 





ON THE STAIRWAY OF LIFE 


IN SEVEN AGES 


H ipia\> in ©ne Bet 


BY 


MRS. HARRY ALSTON WILLIAMS 


Copyright, 1909, by Mrs. Harry Alston Williams 


CAUTION. — All persons are hereby warned that “On the Stairway of 
Life,” being fully protected under the copyright laws of the United 
States, is subject to royalty; and any one presenting the play without 
the consent of the author, or her authorized agent, will be liable 
to the penalties by law provided. Application for stage rights must 
be made to SAMUEL FRENCH, 24 West 22d St., New York City. 


All rights reserved 


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©se p yy iso^i 

C.JDn» 16856 

SEP 23.1809 


ON THE STAIRWAY OF LIFE. 


BABYHOOD. 

Baby Agnes 
Rose 

Master Dick 
Master Harry 
Esther (nurse) 

CHILDHOOD. 

Miss Howard (governess) 

Doris 

Patty 

Florence 

Mary 

Tow 

Dick 

Harry 

YOUTH. 

Isabel -—r 

Mary ?: 

Cora , j 

Muriel 

MAIDENHOOD. 

Miss Dorothy Lee 
Mr. Herbert Ralston 
Mr. Van Vleck 


3 


4 


ON THE STAIRWAY OF LIFE. 

WIFEHOOD. 


Mrs. Earl 
Miss Virginia Earl 
Lillian Earl 
Clement (French cook) 

MOTHERHOOD. 

Beatrice Clive 
Robert Clive 

OLD AGE. 

Mrs. Lee (grandmother) 
Mr. Lee (grandfather) 


Father Time 








ON THE STAIRWAY OF LIFE. 


Scene: — A grand old stairway with landing. In 
centre of landing is hung a portrait of a 
young woman in an old-fasliioned hall gown. 
As the curtain rises the stage is brightly lit. 
Father Time is seen coming down stairway 
tvith scythe in right hand and hour-glass in 
left. He places glass on newel post , and \ 
makes a long sweep with left hand. The 
lights going out as he does so. leaving only a 
dim light on stage. Goes slowly out to right. 

( Grandfather clock at bottom of stairway.) 
SCENE I. 


BABYHOOD. 


Time. — N ight. 


Characters: Baby Agnes; Baby Rose; Master 
Dick; Master Harry; Esther (nurse) 

( Children discovered creeping down the stairs in 
bare-feet and night robes. Harry leading.) 

Baby Agnes. What you goin’ to do anyhow? 
What you goin’ to do anyhow? 

Harry. Be quiet, can’t you, Baby Agnes; you 
’ll surely make nurse hear us! (Whispering to 
Dick) T say, Dickie, do you see something dark 
in that corner? Sh, sh, don’t squeal. The babies 
5 


6 


ON THE STAIRWAY OF LIFE. 


will hear you and they ’ll cry sure. (Dick creeps 
down and peers over bannister tcith Harry. Dick 
suddenly starts and shrinks away ) Oh, come on, 
Who’s afraid? ( Appears very timid nevertheless) 
Dick (confidence restored in his big brother ). 
I know just which box they put the cookies in 
and they’ve got packs of root beer and stuff hid 
away. 

Baby Agnes. When ’sou goin’ to hab our tea 
partee? I’se a gettin’ cold. Dickie, ou promised 
me the biggest piece of cake. Rose and I are 
vewy liungwy. Isn’t ou hungwy, too? 

Baby Rose. I got a big hole inside me and 
I’m so sleepy. (Yawns) Dickie wouldn’t let me 
go to sleep ; he kept punching me and punching 
me and punching me to keep me awake. I don’t 
think I like midnight smears. 

Harry. W'lio said smears? Spreads, - you 
baby. If you talk so loud you’ll wake someone 
and spoil the whole thing and the picnic will be 
off. I say, Dickie, s’posen you go down and peek 
into the back hall. If you don’t see anyone, call 
me. I’ll (with boasting air) take care of the 
kids, and you go to the pantry. (Tries to push 
Dick down the remaining stairs) 

Dick (indignantly). No I won’t. You was the 
one to make up this picnic and I’m scared to go 
into the back hall. 

Baby Agnes (big eyes and open mouth). Yes, 
ou better be a scared. Nursey said that’s where 
de big bear goes at night. Oh, Rosie (crying) 
I want to go up tairs. (They all huddle together) 
Harry (bravely). You’re all little ’fraid-cats, 
I’ll go. You all sit down, but don’t talk — it 
makes an awful noise at night. (Goes bravely 
off stage on tiptoe. Other children remain on 
landing hugging each other) 

Rose (looking around curiously) . I wonder if 
the’re any brownies around to-night. Nurse says 


ON THE STAIRWAY OF LIFE. 


7 


they come and eat up the crumbs we leave oil the 
nurs’ry door and that’s why she don’t sweep up 
evenings like Mama told her to do. If a brownie 
came now, I’d invite him to our big spread and 
he could sit right here beside me and I’d just 
love him; because you know in the story book he 
just ached to be loved and he brought good luck 
to the house he stayed in. 

Dick. Oh, shut up, Rosie, you talk too much. 
Listen ! I wonder what Harry is doing so long. 
I think I’d better go see. Come along. (Grabs 
each baby by the hand and starts down remaining 
steps. Baby Agnes drops the doll she has been 
bidding. They all shriek and start to run up- 
stairs) 

Rose. Oh, Agnes, you naughty baby, now 
they'll find us out. Why did you bring that old 
Martha down, anyway? 

Baby Agnes. Why, poor Marthv had a stomie- 
ache and she’d’ve cried if her Mama ’d left her 
in the big bed all alone. (A smash of china dishes 
is heard from the pantry) Oh dear, lie’s smashed 
himself surely. Did you hear dat? 

Dick. Oh Gee! 1 bet he broke the ginger pop. 
(Leaning over bannister) Say! what’s the mat- 
ter, Harry? (Harry comes running out fright- 
ened, his arms full of cookies and bottles of root 
beer) 

Harry (calling). Dickie! — Dick! — Can’t you 
help a man? I can’t carry the whole business 
and I smashed one of Mama’s good plates. It 
wasn’t my fault. Just as I took out the dish of 
cookies, a great big white thing stood up in the 
corner and said, “Stop Thief.” Gee! but I 
dropped it and ran. Let’s get up those stairs, he 
may be coming after us. Go up there, girls. 
Hurry, I say,— MY, what slow pokes! ( They all 
begin to push one another up the stairs, stumbling 
in their hurry, and falling down.. Agnes starts to 


8 


ON THE STAIRWAY OF LIFE. 


cry. Esther, the nurse , is seen looking down 
from ah ore) 

Esther. Oh gracious! You naughty children ! 
What under heaven are you doing? What has 
happened? ( They all run downstairs again) 

Harry. Botheration. I knew you babies would 
spoil everything. 

Dick. You smashed up the whole thing your- 
self. Say, Esther, please don’t call Mama. 

Rose. Oh Esther, dear Esther, we were going 
to have a midnight spread. 

Esther. A spread indeed! l r ou should all be 
under your spreads — and look at Baby Agnes. 
Harry, I’ll warrant this is some of your doings, 
and you deserve a good whipping. 

Harry ( his mouth full of cookies) I read the 
whole thing in a book and we were just going to 
try it and have a bully time, when you had to 
come and spoil it. 

Esther. What on earth have you in your 
arms? OH! OH! Dickie, go right upstairs. If 
your Mother and Father were not at the theater, 
I’d take you straight to them. Go up quick (Gets 
behind them urging them upstairs) 

Baby Agnes. Dear Esther, don’t be cwoss. 
We’re goin’ to invite you and your brownie to our 
picnic. 

Esther ( trying to keep from laughing). Anna, 
Anna, please come and help me put all these 
naughty children to bed again. (To children) 
Up with you now and no more nonsense. 

Harry (half crying). Please don’t tell. I’ll 
get up in time to wash before breakfast for a 
week, if you don’t give us away. 

Dick (calling from above). It was lots of 
fun just the same, but I didn’t get any cookies. 

Esther. God bless their baby hearts. Who 
would be mean enough to punish them this time? 
(They disappear but are still heard talking) 


ON THE STAIRWAY OF LIFE. 


0 


Good night, children. Go to sleep. Anna and I 
are waiting up in the sewing room and can hear 
you. Yes, finish the cookies and go right to sleep. 
Good-nigh t. 

Chorus. Goodnight. 

Harry. You’re a jolly good girl anyhow. 

END OF SCENE. 

Father Time after scene 1 enters from right. 
Turns hour-glass slowly . Makes a sweep 
tvith hands as lights turn up. Changes the 
hands of Grandfather's clock to 10 o’clock. 
Exit left. 


CHILDHOOD. 

Scene II. 

Characters. — Miss Howard ( governess ) Flor- 
ence, Mary, Doris and Patty, Tom, Dick 
and Harry. 

Patty (Miss Howard seen coming downstairs 
tcith Patty, one of the daughters of the house). 
Isn’t it lovely, Miss Howard? We nearly all 
know the songs, and it will be a perfect surprise 
to Grandpa and Grandma? Mama has made us 
some such lovely costumes! Is this to be our last 
rehearsal? We have the house to ourselves this 
afternoon as Mama has taken Grandma for a 
drive on purpose to give us a good chance. She 
says not to be too noisy. ( Laughs ) I do really 
believe we are all going to try and please you 
this time. 

Miss Howard (looking around as she comes 
down). Yes, Patty, we will do some hard work 
to-day; for this, and the dress rehearsal, are our 
last chances. They have moved the piano out 
into the hall just where I am intended to sit 


10 


ON THE STAIRWAY OF LIFE. 


Christmas Eve! Are all the children home from 
school yet, Patty? ( Voices are heard in the dis- 
tance) 

Patty. Yes, there they are now. {As they 
troop in laughing and talking they all go at once 
and shake hands with Miss Howard) Do hurry, 
boys and girls, we are waiting to begin. 

Miss Howard. Not all at once, children. 
(Warding them off) Hang up your hats and 
coats and then take your places on the stairs and 
begin. 

Harry. Miss Howard, can’t I lead? 

Miss Howard. Why, Harry, I thought we de- 
cided to let the ladies come first. Doris, were 
you to lead? 

Doris. You told Patty to lead last time be- 
cause she was taller ; then Dick and I came next. 

Miss Howard. That’s right, dear. Now, I re- 
member. All to your places and I to mine. 

( Starts doicnstairs from landing) 

Mary. Oh dear! I’m afraid I don’t know the 
lines of my song. 

Miss Howard. Is it to be the same old story, 
Mary? This is our last rehearsal, barring the 
dress rehearsal, and I expected you to be all 
letter perfect. You all promised solemnly last 
time not to disappoint me. Tom! don’t pull 
Mary’s hair! Boys! please be little gentlemen! 
Now I am going" to begin and I do not want 
to have to correct you or to be cross. Imagine 
the whole audience assembled and do your 
best. Now ready. ( Talks from piano , behind 
scene) Remember the chords that come first. 

(The children laughing, teasing each other, and 
frolicking reach the upper landing. Suppressed 
giggles heard, then as first chords of opening 
chorus are struck, perfect silence) 


ON THE STAIRWAY OF LIFE. H 

Miss Howard. Ready! Now! Altogether. 

( Children singing a selected Christmas carol come 
marching one by one according to size , down the 
stairway and march , singing , through as many 
rooms as convenient and in sight , then hack 
again. Range one on each step , and thus -finish 
chorus. Miss Howard appears as music stops) 

Excellent, children ! Only sing a little louder 
when out of sight, so that the words will reach 
all those assembled in the hall. 

Dick. Say, Miss Howard, when Tom’s out of 
sight he always tries to stop the procession! 

Tom. I don’t. It’s you that cuts up worse 
than anyone else 

Doris. The boys were very good this time, 
weren't they, Florence? All the girls didn’t sing 
though. 

Miss Howard. Now for Fatty’s violin solo, 
remain as you are, children. I will go back and 
count three, then Patty, be ready to begin. Doris, 
run up and slip on your costume. It will only 
take a minute, and it is much more effective. In 
the meantime we will have our violin solo by 
Patty. Mary, put on your picture hat and shawl, 
and be ready for your song. During the first few 
chords take your place; bowing first to your 
Great-Grandmother’s portrait and then to your 
Grandparents. Don’t fidget or laugh, Mary and 
Doris, but try to carry out the characters you both 
represent in every detail. ' Boys, I beg of you to be 
quiet or I shall miss half of what’s said. Now 
then, I will seek my corner and await Patty’s 
signal to begin. 

Tom. I bet I can beat any of you fellows 
downstairs. 

Harry. Not on your life! Give us a fair start. 
( They talk and punch and shove until the four 


ON THE STAIRWAY OF LIFE. 


12 

are abreast, on upper landing. Tom nearest the 
bannisters) 

Tom. All ready ! One for the money, two for 
the show, three to make ready and four — to go! 
(He jumps on bannister and slides down , arriving 
first at the bottom) Didn’t I tell you Pd be the 
first down ! 

Harry. But I knew you wouldn't play fair, 
that’s cheating! 

Patty. Oh, boys, do stop your noise. 

Florence. Patty’s waiting and Miss Howard 
is in a hurry to get through. 

Doris {calling from upstairs). Shall I come 
down now? 

Mary. No! No! I forgot Patty’s violin, who 
took it? 

Dick. Harry’s got it — up his sleeve (Giqqles 
from boys) 

Tom. Oh, I say, don’t pinch, Gee! I’ll knock 
you down, Dick, if you do that again. 

Miss Howard {coming on stage again). Bovs! 
Boy s ! Th i s i s en on gh ! 

Patty. Fve found my violin. Pm readv now, 
Miss Howard. If those boys will stop mimicking 
me perhaps I can get through this time. 

Miss Howard. Boys, I put you on your honor. 
Ready {From the piano) Now begin Patty! 
{Molin solo follows. Wild clapping from the 
boys afterwards) Good, dear, that’s splendid. Do 
as well the real night and I’ll ask nothing more. 
Now, Doris. {Calling upstairs) 

Doris. I’m ready, but keep those bovs out of 
sight. 

Miss Howard. All right — Now! {Boys all 

laughing and punching one another) 

Doris. If they don’t stop soon I’ll be so 
frightened I won’t know a line. 

Mary. Now — ready. 

Harby (popping out of corner)'. Johnnie get 


ON THE STAIRWAY OF LIFE. 


13 


your gun, get your gun; Johnnie, get your gun! 

Miss Howard ( coming forward ivith hands to 
her ears). This is really too annoying. Do you 
boys intend to act like this on Christmas Eve? 
Everyone of you go right into the dining-room 
out of sight and sound. I want absolute silence. 
Now march! ( Boys take it literally and file out 
on tiptoe, one by one, with fingers to lips and 
frightened looks) 

Florence (after hearing first chords ). For 
the third and last time Doris, ready! (Doris 
descends in old colonial gown and recites, “ How 
Grandma Danced ” She bows with old-fashioned 
grace to the three sides and especially to the por- 
trait on the wall. Florence stands almost out of 
sight and just a few children’s faces shore so as 
to complete tableaux. Mary in poke bonnet and 
shawl is visible sitting on upper steps. After 
Doris finishes her recitation she bows and walks 
down remaining steps, going almost out of % siglit . 
At opening chords of song, 

Mary comes down to landing , bows 
as did Doris and sings. Then goes to meet Miss 
Howard and rest of girls loho come and group 
themselves around her ) 

Miss Howard. Fine, girls! Doris and Mary, 
Pm proud of you. Now for the final chorus. 
Come boys, quietly and quickly. (Boys come 
back as they left on tiptoe but quickly all range 
up on stairs waiting for the opening music. All 
sing the last chorus) Splendid, children! I am 
more than satisfied. Good-bye, all, I must hurry 
home now. It’s quite late. Good-bye! 

All. Good-bye, and thanks, Miss Howard! 
(Help her on with her wraps. Boys teasing girls) 

Mary. Now for a good game of hide-and-seek. 
Who’ll be it? 

Dick. Yes, that’ll be great! 

Harry. I’ll count and see. 


14 


ON THE STAIRWAY OF LIFE. 


All. Now for some fun. 

Harry {gets them in line and counts). Eny, 
Meny, Miney, Mo, catch a nigger by the toe, if 
he hollers let him go, Eny Meny, Miney, Mo. 
You’re it, Florence. Now, hide your eyes and 
count to twenty slowly. Don’t look! 

Dick. No fair peeking! 

Tom. Come on boys — cheese it ! 

Florence. One! Two! Three, etc. (Counts up 
to twenty, the others having disappeared in the 
meantime, looks around and then steals slowly 
Off- 

Father Time after Scene IT enters from left with 
a wreath of rosebuds. Hangs it on one of 
the newel posts and changes clock to nine 
o’clock. Turns hour-glass. Exit right. 


YOUTH. 

Scene III. 

Characters. — Mary, Cora, Isabel, Muriel. 

(Four girls come slowly downstairs and peek 
over bannisters ; then seat themselves on steps 
where they are supposed to be able to see 
into the dining-room.) 

Isabel ( with fingers to lips). Come on, girls, 
they are all in the dining-room now and we can 
see them splendidly. Oh! Don’t I wish I was 
old enough to attend such a swell dinner party! 

Muriel. Look! Do look, girls, at Mrs. Carter’s 
gown! isn’t it a dream? It just simmers and 
shines like diamonds. That would be my ideal 
of a coming out ball gown. 

Mary. I wouldn’t want to show as much of my 
neck as that lady in blue does. Who is she any- 


15 


ON THE STAIRWAY OF LIFE. 

how? Just see how she looks lip at that old man ! 
( Disgustedly ) 

Isabel. Why, Mary, that isn’t an old man; he 
is about as old as Papa, and Papa is called a 
young man ! 

Muriel. Well, if you call him young, I wonder 
what he will be like when he is old! Why he’s 
as bald as Cousin Louise’s baby and what few 
hairs he has are snow-white. He’s so red he 
looks as if he’d burst. 

Cora. Oh ! Don’t say it, Muriel. It’s not nice. 
Besides he’s much better than he looks. Father 
said it was early piety that made him old before 
his time. Gracious! What has happened? 
(Bursts out laughing) Oh look! do look! The 
little fat man has upset his glass of wine all over 
Mrs. Newgold’s new dress. ( All jump up to look) 

Isabel. My! but she’s white with rage. 

Muriel. T don’t wonder. It must have cost 
lots of money. Besides I’d rather be honest than 
smile and hate him. 

Isabel. I wonder what that is they’re eating. 
It looks so good. I wish Sing would cook that 
well for us every day. He spreads himself for 
company. 

Cora. Mrs. Wilcox is having a good time. She 
is so pretty when she smiles like that; she looks 
just like a young girl. That gentleman on her 
right is teasing her. I wonder what they say to 
one another. It must be an awful bore to sit 
next to some one you don’t like. 

Mary. Not a bit of it. You can talk to your 
left-hand neighbor and just make the other man 
miserable. Oh, it’s such fun to flirt! Just wait 
until I get a chance! They don’t any of them 
mean half what they say. It would be an idea to 
start a new society where only the truth is spoken. 
I'm afraid it wouldn’t work very well. For in- 
stance that big man near Mrs. Butler would say, 


16 


ON THE STAIRWAY OF LIFE. 


“ Dear Madame, your nose is very red,” instead 
of saving, “ You have the most charming color, 
Madame.” . 

Muriel. Watch me a minute, girls, and I will 
give you an imitation of one of the men guests. 
(She sits up very straight , pulls imaginary 
mustaches , yawns, fixes her handkerchief as nap- 
kin, puts monocle in eye, all very slowly and 
awkwardly. Yawns again) That man’s been do- 
ing that ever since he sat down. 

Cora. When I’m married I’m going to give 
balls and receptions. I don’t think it polite just 
to feed people; besides everybody looks their 
worst when eating. 

Muriel. Nonsense! Didn’t you ever hear of 
the way to win a boy’s everlasting adoration? 
It’s to give him the biggest piece of pianoche cake. 

Isabel. I love balls; Dancing for me every 
time. ( Takes a few steps with skirts spread) 
But they say that the reason people don’t give 
balls any more, is that it costs so much to give 
champagne. 

Mary. When I give balls, I’ll put in the corner 
of the invitation, “ Sans Champagne,” and I’ll 
know then who really comes for the pleasure of 
my parties and my company. 

Muriel (loud talking heard few minutes before 
this). Say, just listen to that! And then they 
talk about children making so much noise. The 
only time I have noticed big people quiet is when 
they are playng bridge. 

Mary. Yes, that’s right, for if I happen in 
when Mama is playing bridge, even if I whisper, 

I am sent right out. 

Cora. I heard a lady say to Mama that if she 
were at all distracted it cost her at least a pair 
of gloves. I wonder if we’ll play for money 
when we grow up? 

Isabel. I won’t, that’s sure, for they say the 


OX THE STAIRWAY OF LIFE. 


IT 


best of friends grow to bate each other. (Puis 
her arm lovingly around Muriel) I could not 
have that happen, and besides Mama disapproves. 
Muriel, don’t you think Howard Bruce is just 
lovely? He’s that new boy at the dancing school. 

Muriel. He's just swell. He can dance with 
me whenever he wants to. 

Cora. I wouldn’t let him think so if I were 
you. 

Muriel. Why not? A boy likes to be flattered 
as well as a girl sometimes. Do look, girls, Mr. 
Yawn has really come to life. I guess the cham- 
pagne touched a button. 

Cora. Muriel, you are positively vulgar. What 
makes you always see the horrid side of things? 

Muriel. Don’t say horrid; say funny. Why 
I get twice as much fun out of my day as all of 
you girls put together. For instance, just this 
minute you are all such funny little reproductions 
of your grown-ups at home that T can shut my 
eyes and imagine Mrs. Jones talking to Mrs. 
White and Mrs. Brown airing her troubles to 
Mrs. Green. Why can’t you just be girls and 
leave bridge and champagne to the poor people 
who can’t get the real enjoyment in life that’s 
their due; but have to sit around their card tables 
and firesides picking holes in each other? 

Isabel. Even if it’s so, Muriel, don’t be nasty. 
We can’t help seeing and hearing and perhaps 
even thinking as our elders do! 

Muriel. Well then it’s the elders’ faults, for 
fault there is, and it crops out in the younger 
generation. If we only reflected joy and fun, 
what jolly parents we’d have. 

Cora. Girls, girls! This is getting worse 
every minute. We are not here to criticise our 
elders. Let’s change the subject. What’s up for 
this summer? 

Mary & Isabel. Go to Inverness. 


18 


ON THE STAIRWAY OF LIFE. 


Muriel. Not much, give me the mountains 
free, the home of the wild, is the home for me! 
(All laugh) 

Isabel: That's the time you spoke the truth, 
Muriel, I think we had a glorious time at Inver- 
ness. I should like a little more crabbing and 
clamming. (Looking into dining-room ) By the 
way, there is Mr. Boswell; he still seems to have 
his Inverness appetite. 

Cora. He was a tine cook. Yum, yum, I'd 
like one of those baked potatoes now. 

Mary (mho has keen looking at dining-room -for 
some time). They are still eating. I don’t see 
how they can stand it. It's a bird of some kind. 
If they go to many such dinner parties, I 
shouldn’t think they would need any lunch or 
breakfast. 

Muriel. Of course they don’t, Goosey. Don’t 
you know that? That is how society people can 
afford dinner parties. They save on so many 
meals that they make up for the one grand dinner. 

Mary. I don’t believe you. I know my mother 
doesn’t. ( Rest all hurst out laughing) You are 
not nice, Muriel, to make fun of me. 

Cora. I)o look at Miss Cummings. My, but 
she can flirt. I never saw such eyes as she has 
been making at that gentleman next to her. 

Mary. Where? I don’t see. ( Pushes them all 
aside) Oh, the lady in green. 

Muriel. Yes, the green-eyed monster. 

Isabel. Do be quiet, girls, they’ll surely hear 
us; besides she has a right to flirt if she wants to. 

Muriel. Is that what you intend to do, Miss 
Prim? 

Isabel. I intend to be nice to everybody if 
that’s what you call flirting. 

Muriel. Oh, you know what I mean. It's to 
make every man think lie's the one and only one; 
and to look this way at them and then to drop 


ON THE. STAIRWAY OF LIFE. 19 

your eyes bashfully, so — (Makes eyes at Isabel, 
then looks do ten knowingly) 

Cora. When I need a few lessons in the art. 
May I come to you, Muriel? By the wav did 
you know what Harry said about you? 

Muriel. No, but something nice Til bet. 

Cora. Come, Isabel, I’ll whisper it to you. 
Muriel don’t want to blush. (Draws Isabel down 
and whispers to her , both giggle) 

Muriel. That’s a real mean shame. But 
never mind, come here, Mary, and I’ll tell you 
what William said about Cora* (Whispers to 
Mary and both laugh heartily while Cora grows 
carious) 

Isabel. Do tell us, what did he say? 

Cora. Was it something mean? 

Muriel. That’s telling. Besides you’d never 
forgive me if I told it aloud ! 

Cora. Please, now please tell me. You are 
downright aggravating. 

Muriel. Tit for tat, I’m not the least bit 
worried over what Harry said, because he could 
not keep a secret to save his life. He’ll let it all 
out the next time we meet. Now William is dif- 
ferent. He’s as close as an oyster. (Smiles know- 
ingly) 

Isabel. This suspense is killing. Let’s have 

it. 

Mary. You will worry them sick if you don’t. 
Go ahead, 

Muriel. Cora passed us on the street and 
William gazed long and tenderly after her. Then 
he said, “ She can ride in my machine every time, 
you bet.” That’s all. 

Cora. Bah, I might have guessed it was some 
of your absurd nonsense. (Becomes angry . 
Others all laugh heartily while Cora looks over 
the bannisters) Girls, the salad is nearly gone. 


20 


ON THE STAIRWAY OF LIFE. 


Mary. They promised us ice cream in the but- 
ler's pantry. Let’s go and get ready. 

Isabel. Look at mother at the head of the 
table. She has spied us. Isn't she a dear with 
that knowing smile of hers? 

Cora. And look at my father. He has eyes 
for no one but mother. 

Muriel. They are all right. Come we will 
drink to their good healths in ice cream and sing 
their praises with our mouths full of Sing’s kisses. 

Cora. Don’t be disrespectful, Muriel. 

Muriel. Never. I am honest but faulty. 
Come, sneak around this corner and our haven 
will be in sight. Vite, Depeehez vous! (All 
sneak off ) 

Father Time after Scene III enters from right 
with a lighted candelabra ; places it on neicell 
post; changes clock to 12; Exit left 


Scene IV. 
MAIDENHOOD. 


Time. — N ight. 


Characters. — Dorothy Lee; Herbert Ralston; 
Mr. Van Vleck. 

(A young girl in Colonial ball dress and young 
?nan in Colonial full dress uniform come 
walking , arm in arm, toward grand stairway. 
Strains of waltz heard in distance. 

Herbert. Such a crowd in the ball-room Dor- 
othy, and I knew you would rather sit out part 
of this dance. The stairs are deserted for a 
change; let us rest here a while. 

Dorothy. Anything to make you goodnatured 


ON THE STAIRWAY OF LIFE. 


21 

again, Herbert, for you have been scowling at 
me all evening. 

Herbert. And no wonder, Miss. You haven’t 
hardly deigned to look my way and besides those 
young fools in all their old-fashioned finery 
haven’t given a fellow a chance to even get near 
you. 

Dorothy. Some were very smart, much more 
so than a certain young man I know. And en- 
gaged their dances two or three evenings before 
this colonial ball. 

Herbert. I know some girls who saved one 
or two dances for the gentleman they liked best. 

Dorothy. And pray, did you consider your- 
self one of those favored ones? I should have 
hated to have been the girls that gave themselves 
away so. 

Herbert. I ought to know you well enough 
of old, Dorothy, to realize that you would never 
give me an inch . . . 

Dorothy. You have not even told me if you 
liked my Great-Grandmother’s ball gown. It 
has been laid away in lavender and linen for 
nearly fifty years and it feels slighted. 

Herbert ( trying to take the hand she is vigor- 
ously fanning tcith. She relinquishes the fan in- 
stead). You are a dream in that dress; but be it 
calico or lace, I can never get much below your 
sweet face. 

Dorothy. I only asked about the dress. It 
was considered very grand in those days. My 
Great-Grandmother wore it to her first ball, the 
very night she met my Great-Grandfather, Oh! 
It has quite a history. Don’t you care to hear it? 
(Herbert who has been lost in a dream starts 
suddenly.) 

Herbert. Yes, yes, I was only thinking. 
Thinking of yon, Dorothy. 

Dorothy. But that is impolite. I asked you 


ON THE STAIRWAY OF LIFE. 


to think of this gown or I won’t tell you the in- 
teresting things I know. 

Herbert. Then I promise. Let me hold a fold 
of it, and in that way I will keep my mind on it. 
(Takes a fold tenderly in his hand and kisses it) 

Dorothy. Don’t do that, Herbert, it isn’t 
proper! As I said, my Great-Grandmother met 
mv Great-Grandfather at her first ball. She was 
very beautiful and of course in those days, this 
(pointing to dress) was considered very wonder- 
ful. (Get up and hoics and curtesies as she 
speakes) She bowed and curtesied herself right 
into his heart and he proposed to her that very 
night. The next time she wore this gown she was 
introduced to General La Fayette and in fact 
drank his health in a dear little glass that I still 
have in my room; for afterwards he refused to 
drink out of any other. A few months later she 
was married, and my Great-Grandfather asked her 
to wear as her wedding dress, the gown he had 
first seen her in. Now, Herbert, do you wonder 
that I love it and its history? 

Herbert. Hardly, Dorothy, and if I might 
also have my wish it would be for you to promise 
to be mine in that same old gown. (Dorothy 
starts , and then draws away laughing) 

Dorothy. Why, Herbert, the gown is very old 
and I’m afraid it wouldn’t last long, so I 
would be yours in the old gown in a very short 
time. 

Herbert. Dorothy, dear Dorothy, won’t you 
ever be serious? I have waited and waited 'for 
you to allow me to speak. You have known for 
many a day that I have had eyes, ears and 
thought for no one else. I have loved you, dear, 
ever since we first met and that seems years ago. 
^ ou have always laughingly put me off, changed 
Ihe subject or ran away; but now this minute, in 
your dear Great-Grandmother’s wedding gown, 


ON THE STAIRWAY OF LIFE. 


23 


you must promise to be my wife. For, Dorothy, 
I will wait! I will work! I will pray! I will 
never give up until you are mine and mine alone! 
Sweetheart, don’t go please; before this waltz is 
over or someone comes, answer me, Yes or No. 

Dorothy. You have taken an unfair advan- 
tage, Herbert. I fear that it is only a spell cast 
by the old-fashioned gown and I, under a similar 
spell, might answer as my Great-Grandmother 
did. 

Herbert. And make me the happiest man 
alive, Dorothy! 

Dorothy. But suppose, when the dress is laid 
away, midst its lavender and linen, your feelings 
should suddenly change? 

Herbert. Never, while I have brains to think 
with and a heart to love with. Is it hope you 
are giving me, Dorothy? 

Dorothy. No, Herbert, it is more. The spell is 
upon me. It is myself, I surrender as I stand in 
Great-Grandmother’s wedding gown. (The music 
has ceased before this. Herbert starts to em- 
brace her , but Dorothy gives him her hand which 
he hisses. Turning suddenly she sees a young 
m a n approach ing ) 

Dorothy. My next partner is here. You will 
have to leave me, Herbert. 

Herbert. Make some excuse, sprained ankle. 
Anything. Do, Dorothy. (Music begins) 

Dorothy. 1 see this is our dance, (consults 
card) Mr. Van Vleck, and a delightful two-step, 
just where you shine. I have just had a most 
unfortunate accident. Its only a tribe. Don’t 
look startled. I have just ripped the flounce off 
my Great-Grandmother’s petticoat and will have 
to have a needle and thread, before I can get up. 
You know your Aunt’s house so much better than 
Mr. Ralston, that I waited for you to find these 
for me. 


24 


ON THE STAIRWAY OF LIFE. 


Yan Vleck. Ah, Miss Lee, most thoughtful, I 
am sure. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than 
to wait upon you. I will run up for my Aunt’s 
work-basket. I know the very spot to find it and 
will be down in a jiffy. By the way, had I not 
better fetch a maid? 

Dorothy. No, never. The work-basket is more 
than enough. ( Looks at Herbert and laughs ) 
Now don’t break your neck getting there. (Van 
Vleck having stumbled on the stairs) 

Van Vleck (calling down). Mr. Ralston w^ould 
you like to know where the emergency table 
stands? 

Herbert. Next time, thank you, Mr. Van 
Vleck, I’ll keep Miss Lee company while you are 
gone. 

Dorothy (as Van Vleck disappears). Oh, 
Herbert, quick, quick. Help me rip off this 
flounce. I mustn’t begin by telling such awful 
stories. 

Herbert* Bother the flounce, I must first place 
this ring upon the hand of the fairest lady in the 
land. (Places ring on her finger and kisses her 
hand) Dorothy mine, this ring has also a story. 
It was my Mother’s engagement ring, and of all 
her jewels the one she loved the best for my 
Father was ever her lover. When she was called 
to join him in the better world it was her parting 
gift to me, and her wish that I should place it 
on the hand of my affianced wife. So here it shall 
ever rest, my Dorothy. 

(Dorothy overcome , kisses the ring.) 

Dorothy. Oh, the flounce! Where, where is a 
thread? (Hunts anxiously, Herbert helping) 
Oh, if it were only sewed on the automatic ma- 
chine, but it is sewed by hand and botheration! 
It is all back stitched. 

Herbert, What’s this, a hole? 


ON THE STAIRWAY OF LIFE. 


25 

Dorothy. No. goosey, that's (he pattern of the 
lace. Oh, thank heaven, its started. Herbert, 
don't please sit gazing at me. Get out your knife 
and rip it. 

Herbert. What ! Rip your Great-Grand- 
mother’s wedding gown? 

Dorothy. Just a little place. You know its 
unlucky to sew on your own wedding dress, so 
I’ll let you sew it up again. (Looks sweetly and 
lovingly up at Herbert) 

Dorothy. Glory, here he comes. Quick, quick 
Herbert. You can take me to supper and then 
home. The rest of this dance belongs to Mr. Van 
Vleck. The gossips will be satisfied and will 
sleep in peace. Work, Herbert, work, lie’s com- 
ing. (calling) Don't forget the scissors! 

Van Vleck. What do you take me for? I’m 
an old sailor, and you know sewing was the first 
thing I learnt. 

Herbert ( after having ripped about half a 
yard of flouncing). Come on then, I am going 
to try my hand at this sewing, seeing as I did 
the ripping. (Dorothy looks fearful of his tell- 
ing more) 

Van Vleck. Here you are then. Such a nice 
neat sewing basket, and plenty of white thread 
and needles and the scissors. Have a thimble, 
Ralston? 

Herbert. No thanks, but do thread this needle. 
Miss Lee is just going to look on and criticize. 

Dorothy. Perhaps I had better shut my eyes, 
so as not to hurt your feelings.* 

Van Vleck. Don’t do that for then we 
couldn’t see to sew. I vote I help or the dance 
will be over before Ralston, finishes. 

Dorothy. All right. Now for a race to the 
meeting place. (Both men kneel now at her feet , 
one on each side of her, sewing vigorously while 
Dorothy holds out her dress) 


ON THE STAIRWAY OF LIFE. 


2 (> 


Herbert. I say, this isn't fair. I have to sew 
backwards. 

Van Vleck. All the better, Til get there first 
and as I’m an adept, I will have a longer dance. 

Dorothy. My, blit that music is inspiring, I 
can hardly keep my feet still. 

Herbert. Please don’t move so, I've pricked 
my finger. 

Dorothy. Be careful, do be careful, I don’t 
want a drop of blood on my Great-Grandmother's 
wedding gown, for that you know is bad luck 
and I’m expecting so much happiness still, out of 
this old dress. 

Herbert. I’d rather die than bring it ill fort- 
une. {Looking up at Dorothy) 

Van Vleck. Congratulate me, Miss Lee, I 
have reached the place of rendezvous and Ralston 
is a regular slow poke. 

Dorothy. Bravo! Well done, my noble cav- 
aliers. Now we may surrender the work-basket 
to Mr. Ralston. That looks very domestic you 
know. We may now have our dance. Grand- 
mother’s gown is very grateful to you and prom- 
ises never to forget the cause of its misfortune 
nor the mending of it. An revoir. {Takes Mr. 
Van Vleck’s arm and walks out after dropping 
a rose in work-basket . Throws back a kiss to 
Herbert who is gazing longingly after her , still 
holding the basket. They start to dance at the 
foot of the landing and with one more backivard 
glance exit. Herbert goes slowly to the landing , 
looks longingly after the disappearing couple , 
finds rose in basket ; lifts it into full view; kisses 
it and exits upstairs) 

Father Time after Scene IV enters left . Scat- 
ters rose leaves over stairway and stage. 
Changes clock to 12. Exit right. 


ON THE STAIRWAY OF LIFE. 




# Scene V. 

WIFEHOOD. 

Characters. — Mrs. Earl, the mother; Virginia, 
a bride ; Lillian, her sister; Clement, the 
French Cook. 

Mrs. Earl (on the landing of stairway , in even- 
ing dress , talking to daughter, still upstairs). 
You can come down now, Virginia, the guests are 
all being ushered in at the side entrance. (Pro- 
ceeds down the stairs, while slowly following 
comes Virginia in wedding dress) Just let me 
take a good look at you, dear heart, before I let 
you go. 

Virginia. Don’t say it that way, Mother, it 
makes me feel as if I were going away forever; 
and Pm only going to Philip and you love him. 
Besides I’ll see you every day when we come 
home from our wedding trip. Mother, I feel so 
strange and my heart is beating so hard. Just 
put your hand here and feel it. (Mother slips 
her hand around daughter and holds her ten- 
derly) That is better. I do feel just like a little 
child again ; your love and comfort mean so much 
to me. Mother, I’m afraid I haven’t even let you 
feel it as I should. My helplessness is so great; 
I fear to take this step away from you. 

Mrs. Earl. That is only natural, Virginia. 
This is truly a higher step on the stair of life; 
one that holds more than your own happiness. 
Kemember, dear, that on you depends your hus- 
band’s happiness. Your face is his sun. If it is 
cloudy, all is gloomy for him. If it is stormy, 


28 


ON THE STAIRWAY OF LIFE. 


it will worry him; but if it is bright and warm, 
the whole atmosphere of his home is in accord- 
ance with it. Remember, child, that all the steps 
you have gone up so far, have been padded and 
carpeted for you. Some of those you will have to 
tread may be bare and hard. You must mount 
them just the same to reach the top; therefore 
remember, dear, be brave, be honest, be true; 
never let the sun go down on any misunderstand- 
ing, and above all, it is more noble to forgive 
than be forgiven. Go first, from now on, for 
advice to your husband, if he wishes it, then come 
to me. This, Virginia, is the hardest part of 
my advice to you, for now your Mother and Father 
take second place. 

Virginia. No. Never that, Mother. Just 
think what we have been to one another. 

Mas. Earl. Yes, love, but also just think what 
you and Philip are going to be to one another. 
It is only what God ordained. “ Leaving all 
others keep thee only unto him.” That does not 
mean that you will love us the less, for I think 
the love for our parents increases as we live our- 
selves through the trials they have had to over- 
conn 4 . 

Virginia (laying her head on her Mother's 
shoulder ). Mother dear, you are so good. Tt is 
so hard to leave you. (Begins to erg) 

Mrs. Earl. No tears, Virginia, Sweetheart. 
No tears, on this the happiest day, I hope, of your 
life. ( Wipes envoy an unseen tear herself) 
Nothing but that beautiful sunshine that God 
grant may be with you always. Now, just be 
your bright, happy, young self and remember that 
we have promised each other to shed no tears for 
it would not be generous to Philip. By the way 
lie must be very impatient. They will soon be 
ready. Virginia, my darling daughter, no bride 
ever looked any sweeter on her .wedding day. 


ON THE STAIRWAY OF LIFE. 


20 


Virginia. Father .said that he would send for 
me here. Don’t you think the library would be 
better? Someone might come this way Here 
mother, is a piece of my orange blossoms. Wear 
it for my sake and think of your wedding day. 
Not that you ever forget it. You and Father are 
as great sweethearts as ever you were. 

Mrs. Earl. Yes, dear, even more so. There, 
put it where it will look best. And come to the 
library when I send your Maid-of-honor for you. 
Now smile. Be brave, love; and God bless you. 
(Exit, mother , kissing hand to Virginia) 

Virginia (spellbound for a second , then takes 
miniature of her mother from around her neck 
and gazes • at it) Mother, may T never forget 
your teachings! Every lovely and noble thought 
in my breast has sprung from your heart. Now 
that I am old enough to enter that sacred pre- 
cinct of wifehood, you have led me to its portals 
with that ever generous self-sacrificing spirit that 
has ever made you your husband’s and your 
children’s idol. God bless you, Mother. ( Long 
pause ) How long the time seems waiting. Dear 
Philip; he must be so impatient, he cautioned 
me not to be late. If anybody’s late to-night I 
venture to say that it will be the bishop. (Hears 
voice from below) Why, who’s this? Looking 
down sees cook in cap and apron looking around 
corner) It is our old cook, Clement. Upon my 
word, I had forgotten, Clement. ( Calling ) Yes, 
come here, Clement. I remember promising you 
that you should have a good look at me before 
I became Mrs. Alston. 

Clement (standing abashed , laughing all the 
time). Oh, Mademoiselle, Oh, bien j’espere, 
eomme vous etes belle; on voila. (Laughs) 

Virginia. J'espere que je vous plaits eomme 
£a, Clement! 

Clement. Oh! Mademoiselle, vous etes magni- 


30 


ON THE STAIRWAY OF LIFE. 


fique, vous etes charmante. It is Monsieur Al- 
ston who ’tis to be happy. 

Virginia. Shake hands, Clement, Mais si, 
J’insiste. Wish me happiness. 

Clement ( who has been busy wiping his hands 
and bowing). S’est trop grande honneur, Made- 
moiselle Virginia, mais si vous insistez; I wish 
you bonheur. May you be so happy like your 
mother. Je suis dans la famille maintenant il 
y a pres de vingt ans, long before you come, 
Mademoiselle et, Mon Dieu, on est toujours 
heureux ici ; le cuisinier, comme le maitre. 

Virginia. Merci, Clement; no wish could have 
pleased me more. 

Clement. Excusez-moi, je vous prie, mademoi- 
selle? ( Bowing all the time) 

Virginia. Yes, I will excuse you, I know 
how busy you are with this grand wedding break- 
fast you are preparing as my surprise; Au re- 
voir, Clement, you have long been my good friend, 
et je l’oublierais jamais, Au revoir only! ( Exit 
Clement, bowing and smiling. Sounds of wed - 
ding march faintly heard. Maid-of -honor, a very 
young girl, appears. Virginia’s hand flies to her 
breast and she shows signs of very great excite- 
ment) 

Lillian (calling). Virginia, Sister Virginia. 
Father is waiting. Come quickly; everybody is 
so anxious to see the bride. They are all craning 
their necks to get the first glimpse of you. I’ve 
been peeking through the door. (Takes sister's 
hand) Kiss me once before you go. 1 promise 
not to miss you too much and to try and comfort 
Mother. There. (Kisses Virginia) That’s a 
dear Oh! and Philip’s been to the library half 
a dozen times, he is wild, but lie looks so proud 
and happy. Come! Come! Your bouquet is 
just sweet, all lilies of the valley and mine! 
Wait until you see it! 


ON THE STAIRWAf OF LIFE. 31 

Virginia. All right, sister mine; I am ready. 
Lead the way. 

Lillian ( proudly chants). Here comes the 
bride. ( Exclamations of delight heard as they 
disappear and Lohengrin y s Wedding March hursts 
forth) 

Father Time after Scene V enters right, with 
wreath of baby roses . puts it over photograph 
of mother and child which must he in full 
view of audience on the table. Changes clod: 
to 7.30. Exit left. 


Scene VI. 

MOTHERHOOD. 

Characters. — Robert Clive and Beatrice Clive, 
young husband and wife. 

Robert ( discovered in evening dress, overcoat 
on and hot in hand, walking up and down stair 
landing singing. Calls upstairs). Say, dearest! 
it’s already seven o’clock the hour we are due at 
the Carrolls’ for dinner and you know how prompt 
they are. 

Beatrice { answering hack from above). All 
right, Bob, I’ll be with you in a minute; this 
dreadful old directoire gown fastens in the back. 

Robert (to himself). St. Christopher!!! Only 
that far. Well, a woman never can be on time. 
It must have been because they were an after- 
thought in the world of creation. Just a little 
late in getting there! Bless her heart! She’s 
always doing her best to overcome her misfort- 
une. It’s really my fault for not starting her 
to dress earlier this evening, but those few min- 
utes alone after a tiresome day are hard to cut 


32 


ON THE STAIRWAY OF LIFE. 


short. ( Walks up and down . then sits down for 
a moment) Married just eighteen months and 
no complaint coming; that's pretty good work. 
( Looks at watch) If she could only just be on 
time. ( Calling up again) Ray, Beatrice, shall 
I come up and help fasten that gown? You know 
you are horribly late. 

Beatrice ( calling down). No, never I Thanks, 
it's done! But you know it’s the last beauty 
t ouches that take the time. No, don't come up! 
It's bad enough, Bob dear, to hear you pacing up 
and down like a caged lion. T can onlv hear you 
—but— if I'd— see you— I'd just give up the din- 
ner altogether. 

Robert. Now, Beatrice, don’t get provoked. 

( Apologetically ) It’s only on account of old Mr. 
Carroll; he is so beastily punctual. (Soliloquiz- 
ing) Now > Robert, my boy, just keep cool; two 
excited people never do in one family. We’ll be 
half an hour late, but we’ll turn up, ( Forced 
smile) smiling just the same. ( Picks up book, 
sits down and tries to read. Pulls out watch. 
Looks at time, scratches head, looks up stairs) 
By jove, I cannot stand this much longer. Bea- 
trice ( calling ) How many more beauty touches? 

I think we had better say you were taken ill, or 
some such excuse. I’ll never be able to face the 
old gentleman. I’d be willing to bet that half of 
those beauty touches are caresses lavished on that 
baby of ours. No use talking. The first year 
she’s a wife, the second she’s a devoted mother. 

It the tardiness were only left out. Ray! 

Beatrice, do you hear me? 

Beatrice {seen smiling coming down stairway ) . 
Oh! you cross old love. You know you want me 
to look my best! What are ten minutes more 
or less. (Robert jumps up and starts towards 
landing. As he does so he stops suddenly 
Qnd looks down at his shirt front ; stamps 


ON THE STAIRWAY OF LIFE. 


33 


his foot) Why Bob! what on earth is the mat- 
ter? I'm already and only waiting for my last 
beauty touch, ( Holds up her face to Robert) 
your kiss. 

Robert {excitedly). Oh! Hang it all ! 

Beatrice. What, your kiss? 

Robert. No. My shirt stud has dropped in ; 
why this means my taking off my coat and vest. 
Well, never mind, little woman. ( Kisses her and 
runs upstairs) It will only take me a second. 
I'll not keep you waiting. But say, what luck! 

Beatrice ( sits down on stairs, holding her even- 
ing wraps in her hand and gazes after his vanish- 
ing form). He is the best natured man in the 
whole wide world ; but always wants to be hours 
too early — never can give me the last few minutes 
with precious baby in peace, and that wee thing 
is always the cutest when I’m going out to leave 
him. My! But I wonder if that clock is right. 
( Starts looking off at clock, jumps up) We have 
never been so late before. Oh ! Bob, its getting 
shamefully late. ( Calling ) Can I help you? 

Robert (sounds of stamping and growling 
heard \ from above). No, the thing is possessed, it 
has fallen under the chiffonier — and I can’t — 
reach it. 

Beatrice (excitedly). Oh! I’ll come up and 
help you. (To audience) Poor fellow! How ut- 
terly helpless God created man. His helpmate 
was surely made to think for him and above all 
to find things for him. Bob could no more find 
anything even if he were looking straight at it 
than our poor innocent Bobolinks up in his 
cradle. Robert’s bump of locality was surely an 
incomplete afterthought. I’m coming up to help 
you, Bob. 

Robert (calling). Don’t, Mary’s looking for 
it and hang it all, I’ll have to wear the pearl 
ones instead. Don’t come now, I’m nearly ready. 


34 


ON THE STAIRWAY OF LIFE. 


Beatrice (walking up and down slowly). 
What a shame to be so late. I’ve never made 
such a late entree anywhere and dear old Mr. 
Carroll with his old-fashioned promptness. (Call- 
ing) Robert, do hurry. I don’t believe a man 
can be any more punctual than a woman. A 
minute more (in anger) and I’ll telephone you 
are ill. 

Robert (coming downstairs putting on his coat 
and all smiles). Well dear, we’re all set now. 
Mary was a trump and found that stud the first 
glance she gave under the chiffonier. (Calling 
hack) You’re all right, Mary! (Takes Bea- 
trice’s arm after helping her with her wrap) 

Beatrice (calling up stairs). Mary. Do be 
sure to telephone me if anything is the matter 
with Bobby. We will be at the Carrolls’. Now 
hurry, Bob, you know you are the last one to-night, 
and as usual I will have to sit by and hear you 
discuss the tardiness of women with your right- 
hand neighbor. 

Robert. Beatrice, I don’t deserve that. I 
waited over half an hour for you. 

Beatrice. I notice I waited half an hour for 
you to find that stud. Just like all the men— 
shifting the blame on the poor women. 

Robert. All right, love. I’ll admit I was the 
late one. 

Beatrice. Now, that’s a dear, come on and I 
won’t complain. (Gives him a saucy glance and 
rushes on ahead. Robert folloivs shaking his 
head hut smiling) 

Father Time after Scene VI enters left. Changes 
clock to 8 o’clock. Turns hour-glass and 
waits until sand nearly runs out. Exit right. 


ON THE STAIRWAY OF LIFE. 


35 


Scene VII. 

OLD AGE. 

Time. — Christmas Eve. 

Characters. — -Mr. and Mrs. Lee, Grandparents, 
Herbert Ralston, Dorothy Ralston and 
most of characters in Scenes I, II and III. 

(All except Grandparents entering from differ- 
ent sides of stage and from stairivay with 
garlands and wreaths. They take their time 
in decorating stairway and hall.) 

Muriel ( after having started to decorate ban- 
nisters). Where, oh where is the mistletoe? 
Please allow me to hang it up. I know an ideal 
place for it. I do believe you good people would 
have forgotten all about it, had it not been for my 
massive brain and eagle eye. I’ll be the boys’ 
friend to-night, that’s sure, especially if I tell 
them my little secret. ( Having found mistletoe 
starts to go off stage) 

Tom. Am I to be one of your friends. You 
know I promised to give Harry a pointer to- 
night. 

Mary ( catching hold of Muriel and trying to 
detain her). Muriel, I’ll never forgive you, if 
you don’t tell me. (Looking at a wreath she has 
just hung over the clock) How does this wreath 
look over the old clock? 

Dick. Splendidly. Poor old clock, it has been 
working overtime to-night, so it needs a little 
extra decoration. 

Dorothy. Here is another wreath and I want 
to hang it over Great-Grandmother’s portrait. 


ON THE STAIRWAY OF LIFE. 


3G 

( Goes up to lauding) But I never can reach it. 
Oh ! boys, can't you get me a ladder? (Exit, boys, 
for ladder ) 

Herbert (joining her on landing). Let me do 
it, Dorothy, I can easily reach it. 

Dorothy. No, I beg this special privilege. I 
consider I owe her half my happiness on account 
of her old wedding gown. (Boys bring in ladder) 
That’s fine, boys, just hold it steady and I’ll be 
through in a minute. ( Hangs wreath over por- 
trait) How does it look? 

Harry. Fine as silk. Say Tom, keep that 
hammer in your pocket. 

Herbert. There, boys, carry the ladder out 
and let us disappear before your Grandparents 
come. 

Doris. May we each have a spray of the holly 
to wear, Dorothy? (Muriel has been trying to 
fasten a piece of mistletoe in Isabel’s liair on the 
sly) 

Dorothy. Of course, but don’t leave anything 
lying around. It’s time now for your Grand- 
parents to come down. Just look, Herbert, at 
Great-Grandmother’s portrait, she seems to be 
actually smiling, perhaps just as she did that 
Christmas Eve long ago? 

Herbert. She does for a fact. Muriel, what 
mischief have you been up to? Cora, is that gar- 
land secure off there? It looks as if it had 
started to slip down. 

Olive. No, it’s quite safe. I don’t see any- 
thing more to do. The hall is almost as pretty 
as the ball-room. Don’t you think so, Mary? 

Mary. Not quite, but the Christmas greens 
smell so good. I could hug every one of them! 

Muriel. Am I included among the greens? 

Isabel (winding her arm around Muriel). Of 
course you are. Come, do tell me where you hung 
that little bunch of mistletoe. (Coaxingly ) . 


ON THE STAIRWAY OF LIFE. 


Muriel (who has before this succeeded in put- 
ting the piece of mistletoe in Isabel’s hair un- 
known to her) In the most enticing place in the 
whole house to-night. ( Laughingly looking at 
Isabel. The boys all have seen and laughed over 
the joke) 

Herbert. Now, boys, for gracious’ sakes, don’t 
knock down the house and all go into the dining- 
room for the last rehearsal of the welcome song. 

Boys. All right, come along. {All exit slowly 
excepting Dorothy and Herbert) 

Herbert. How many years ago was it, Doro- 
thy, that you promised to be mine in that Great- 
Grandmother’s robe? {Pointing to portrait) 
Time waits for no man. We are just about to 
reach the highest step on life’s stairway and it 
has seemed like a very short one to me! Can 
you say the same, Dorothy? 

Dorothy. All too short, Herbert, but then, 
dear, we have had no sorrow nor trouble and it 
has all been walking under a sunny smiling sky. 
Now with Grandfather and Grandmother, they 
have been in storm and tempest and look at them. 
May we be as happy as they are at their age I 
pray! Hark! Here they come! Let’s get the 
children together to meet them. ( Takes Her- 
bert’s arm and they run towards dining-room) 

Grandfather (stepping down first* stair very 
sloivly with Grandmother holding onto his shoul- 
der. They are barely seen at first) There, 
mother, take it slowly. Remember you are not 
quite as spry as you were when I first saw you. 

Grandmother. Now, Henry, none of that or 
I could retaliate by saying your arm is not quite 
as steady as when it first stole around my girl- 
ish waist. But what difference does it make when 
our love in its growing strength has made up to 
us for all our lost youth and vigor? 

Grandfather. Yes, Mary, I may well help 


38 


ON THE STAIRWAY OF LIFE. 


you down the stairs of life as you have already 
been the one to help me up the hardest ones. 
We have nothing to complain of and as the steps 
grow fewer, as they are doing here to-night, we 
will put all our trust in God, and wait together 
quietly, love. (A great shouting and laughing 
heard in the dining-room) 

Grandmother. Not quite as quietly as you 
think, Harry. The children and the grandchil- 
dren will make things lively for us still and 
you know, dear, we might grow selfish and cranky 
if it were not for the young hearts around us. 
To-night somehow reminds me of that Christmas 
Eve long ago when we arranged a surprise for 
our parents and how the tables were all turned 
and they arrived long before we expected them 
with a troupe of friends. And how I cried and 
told you we hadn’t a big enough turkey to go 
around and that the plum pudding was only a 
thimble full, for such a gathering. 

Grandfather. Yes! Yes! I remember, and 
also how red your nose got from crying and when 
I told you so, you got so mad that you turned 
on me and said I might go hungry for all you 
cared. But afterwards I noticed, Mary, that you 
gave me the pope’s nose when father carved it 
and you passed it to me, lucky man. And how 
your worry 'was all for naught as your Mother, 
dear old lady, had sent hampers fuil unbeknown 
to us beforehand, bursting with all the goodies 
she had been preparing for weeks before. My l 
What a frolic that was! Your father danced 
old Dan Tucker. (Attempts to dance it himself ) 
with my mother and he got so excited he squeezed 
the old lady too hard, and she up and slapped him 
good. Ha! Ha! Ha! Then to clap the climax 
lie whirled her under the mistletoe and kissed her 
before us all. ( Both laugh heartily , the Grand- 
father discovers a piece of mistletoe over the old 


ON THE STAIRWAY OF LIFE. 


39 


portrait and breaking off a piece holds it over his 
wife's head, kissing her just as the door opens and 
the band of young folks rush forth shouting) 

Chorus. Hurray for Grandpa. 

Herbert. Three cheers for Grandfather and 
Grandmother! Now all together. 

Chorus. Hurray! Hurray! Hurray! Long 
life and health to our Grandparents. ( Grand- 
parents holding hands , bote from landing. Then 
music bursts forth and Welcome song is sung by 
all) 

Grandmother. You precious children ! This 
is indeed a sweet Christmas welcome. Thank 
you all most heartily. Now, Harry, can’t you 
and I thank them in song that would be some- 
thing like. 

Grandfather. I fear, Mary, that although it 
would give the children an immense lot of fun, 
it would all be at our own expense. Young voices, 
my dear, are always sweetest, but old hearts are 
ofttimes dearest. (Turning to the Grandmother) 

(Dorothy then comes forward and takes Grand- 
parents’ hands.) 

Dorothy. Now dear Parents and Grandpar- 
ents, your guests await you. You must both lead 
out the first dance. ( Dan Tucker is played) 

Grandfather. Well, children, this is some- 
thing like the old days. Come, Mary! Let’s show 
the youngsters how to trip the light fantastic 
( Takes her by the hand , raising it high above her 
head and with a gallant bow right and left , be- 
gins a few icaltz steps. Grandmother following 
with daintily mincing steps. Together they go 
toward the dining-room) 

Herbert. Don’t let us be outdone. Come, Dor- 
othy, all follow suit. (Dorothy takes Herbert’s 
hand, boxes and kisses her hand to Great-Grand- 


40 


ON THE STAIRWAY OF LIFE. 


mother’s portrait and follow the Grandparents 
out. All the young people pair off and bowing 
to the portrait as they pass laughing and talking, 
all march off while Dan Tucker is played until 
curtain falls. 


END 


HOW GRANDMA DANCED 

Recited by Florence in Scene II 

I. 

Oramlma told me all about it, 

Told me so I couldn’t doubt it. 

How she danced — my grandma danced 
Long ago. 

How she held her pretty head, 

How her dainty skirts she spread, 

Pointing out her little toes. 

How she slowly leaned and rose 
Long ago. 


II. 

Grandma’s hair was bright and sunny, 
Dimpled cheeks, too — oh, how funny! 
Really quite a pretty girl 
Long ago. 

Bless her! — Why she wears a cap. 
Grandma does — and takes a nap 
Every single day — and yet 
Grandma danced the minuet 
Long ago. 


III. 

Now she sits there rocking, rocking, 
Always knitting Grandpa’s stocking. 
Every girl was taught to knit 
Long ago. 

But her figure is so neat, 

And her ways so staid ayd sweet, 

1 can almost see- her now 
Bending to her partner’s bow 
Long ago. 


41 


42 


ON THE STAIRWAY OF LIFE. 

IV. 

Grandma says our modern ways are quite alarm 

ing, 

But boys were charming — 

Girls and boys I mean, of course, 

Long ago. 

Grandly modest — bravely shy, 

What if all of us should try 
Just to feel like those who met 
In the graceful minuet 
Long ago? 


V. 

With the minuet in fashion 
Who could fly into a passion? 

All would wear the calm they wore 
Long ago. 

In time to come if I perchance 
Should tell my grandchild of our dance, 
I should really like to say 
We did it, dear, in stately way 
Long ago. 


( French's Standard Drama Continued from 2d page of Cover.) 

VOL. XLI. 

The Pirate’s Legacy 
The Charcoal Burner 
AJelgitha 
Senor Valiente 
Forest Rose 
Duke’s Daughter 
Camilla’s Husband 
Pure Cold 

VOL. XLII. 

Ticket of Leave Man 
Fool’s Revenge 
O’Neil the Great 
Handy Andy 
Piraie of the Islet 
Fan chon 
Little Barefoot 
Wild Irish Girl 

VOL. XLIIL 
Pearl of Savoy 
Dead Heart 

Ten Nights in a Bar-room 
Dumb Boy of Manchester 
Belphegor theMounteb’k 
Cricket on the Hearth 
Printer’s Devil 
Meg’s Diversion 


821 

122 

>4 

*6 

26 

>27 

328 

329 

330 

331 

332 
833 
334 

333 
836 

337 

338 
839 

340 

341 

842 

843 
344 


VOL. XLIV. 

VOL. XLVU. 

345 Drunkard’s Doom 

369 Saratoga 

346 Chimney Corner 

370 Never Too Lats to Mend 

347 Fifteen Years of a Drunk- 

371 Lily of France 

348 No Thoroughfare | ard’s 

372 Led Astray 

349 Peep O’ Day l_Life 

373 Henry V 

350 Everybody’s Friend 

374 Unequal Match 

351 Gen. Grant 

75 May or Dolly’s Delusion 

352 Kathleen Mavourneen 

.176 Allatoona 

VOL. XLV. 

VOL. XLVIII. 

353 Nick Whiffles 

377 Enoch Arden 

354 Fruits of the Win# Cup 

378 Under the Gas Light 

35t> Drunkard’s Warning 

379 Daniel Rochat 

356 Temperance Doctor 

380 Caste 

357 Aunt Dinah 

381 School 

358 Widow Frseheart 

382 Home 

359 Frou Frou 

383 David Garrick 

360 Long Strike 

384 Ours 

VOL. XLVI. 

VOL. XLIX. 

361 Larcers 

385 Social Glass 

362 Lie i lie 

886 Daniel Druce 

363 Randall’s Thumb 

387 Two Roses 

364 Wicked World 

389 Adrienne 

365 Two Orphans 

389 The Bells 

366 Colleen Bawn 

390 Uncle 

367 ’Twixt Axe and Crown 

391 Courtship 

868 Lady Clancarthy 

392 Not Such a Fool 


VOL. L. 

393 Fine Feathers 

394 Prompter’s Box 

395 Iron Matter 

396 Engaged 

97 Pygmalion & Galatea 
.}98 Leah 

399 Scrap of Paper 

400 Lost in London 
VOL. LL 

401 Octoroon 

402 Confederate Spy 

403 Mariner’s Return 

404 Ruined by Drink 

405 Dreams 

406 M. P. 

407 War 

408 Birth 

VOL. L1I. 

409 Nightingale 

410 Progress 

411 Play 

412 Midnight Charge 

413 Confidential Clerk 

414 Snowball 

415 Our Regiment, 

416 Married for Money 
Hamlet in Three Acts 
Guttle & Gulpit 


FRENCH’S INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHTED EDITION 
OF THE WORKS OF THE BEST AUTHORS. 

The following very successful plays have just been issued at 25 cents per copy. 


A PAIR OF SPECTACLE'?. Comedy in 3 Acts 
by Sydney Grumpy, author of “Sowing the Wind,” 
Ac. 8 male, 3 female characters. 

A FOOL’S PARADISE. An original play In 3 

Acts by Sydney Grum y, author of ‘‘Sowing ths 
Wind,” Ac. £ mats, 4 female characters. 

THE SILVER SHIELD. An original comedy In 
8 Acts by Sydney Grundy, author of “Sowing the 
Wind,” Ac. 5 male, 8 female characters. 

THE GLASS OF FASHION - . An original com- 
edy in 4 Acts by Sydney Grundy, author of “ Sowing 
ths Wind,” Ac. i male. 6 female characters. 


THE BALLOON. Farcical comedy In 8 Acte by J. 
H. Darni.ky and Manville Fbnn. 6 male, 4 female 
characters. 

MISS CLEOPATRA. Farce in 3 Acts by Arthur 
Shirley. 7 male, 3 female characters. 

8IX PERSONS. Comedy Act by I. Zanbwiil. 
1 male, 1 female character. 

FASHIONABL E INTELLIGENT. Comedi- 
etta in 1 Act by Percy Fkndall. 1 male, 1 female 
character. 

HIGHLAND LEGACY. Comedy in 1 Act by 
Brandon Thomas, author of “Charley’s Aunt,” 
6 malt, 2 fsmale characters. 


Contents of Catalogue which is sent Free. 


Amateur Drama 

Amateur Operas 

Articles Needed by Amateurs 

Art of Scene Painting 

Baker’s Reading Club 

Beards. Whiskers, Mustaches, etc. 

Bound Sets of Plays 

Bulwer Lytton’s Plays 

Burlesque' Dramas 

Burnt Cork 

Cabman’s Story 

Carnival of Authors 

Charade Plays 

Children’s Plays 

Comic Dramas for Male Characters 
only 

Costume Books 
Crape Hair 
Cumberland Edition 
Darkey Dramas 
Dramas for Bov* 

Drawing-room 'Monorognes 
Elocution, Reciters and Speakers 
Ethiopian Dramas 


Evening’s Entertainment 
Fairy and Home Plays 
French’s Costumes 
French’s Editions 
French’s Italian Operas 
French’s Parlor Comedies 
French’s Standard and Minor Drama 
French’s Standard and Minor Drama, 
bound 

French’s Scenes for Amateurs 
Frobisher’s Popular Recitals 
Grand Army Dramas 
Guide Books for Amateurs 
Guide to Selecting Plays 
Hints on Costumes 
Home Plays for Ladies 
Irish Plays 
Irving’s Plays 
Juvenile Plays 
Make-Up Book 
Make-Up Box 
Mock Trial 

Mrs. Jarley’s Wax Works 
New Plays 


New Recitation Books 

Nigger Jokes and Stump Speeches 

Parlor Magic 

Parlor Pantomimes 

Pieces of Pleasantry 

Poems for Recitations 

Plays for Male Characters only 

Round Games 

Scenery 

Scriptural and Historical Dramas 

Sensation Dramas 

Serio-Comic Dramas 

Shadow Pantomimes 

Shakespeare’s Plays for Amateurs 

Siiakespeare’s Plays 

Stanley’s Dwarfs 

Spirit Gum 

Tableaux Vivants 

Talma Actor’s Art 

Temperance Plays 

Vocal Music of Shakespeare’s Plays 

Webster’s Acting Edition 

Wigs, etc. 


{French' s Minor Drama Continued from 4th page of Cover.) 


VOL. XLT. 

321 Adventures of a Love 

322 ost Child [Letter 

323 Court Cards 

324 Cox and Box 

325 Forty Winks 

326 Wonderful Woman 

327 Curious Case 

328 Tweedleton’s Tail Coat 


VOL. XLII. 

VOL. XLIII. 

329 As Like as Two Peas 

337 Sunset 

330 Presumptive Evidence 

338 For Half a Million 

331 Happy Band 

339 C ble Car 

332 Pinafore 

340 Early Bird 

333 Mock Trial 

341 Alumni I’lay 

334 My Uncle’s Will 

342 Show of Hands 

335 Happy ’air 

343 Barbara 

336 My Turn Next 

344 Who’s Who 


VOL. XLTV. 

346 Who’s To Win Him 

346 Which is Which 

347 Cup of Tea 

319 Sarah’s Young Man 

349 Hearts 

350 In Honor Bound [Law 

351 Freezing a Mother-in 

352 My Lord in Livery 


SAMUEL FRENCH, 26 West 22d St., New York City. 


FRENCH’S STANDARD DRAMA. 

Price 15 Cents each.— Bound Volumes $1.25. 


VOL. I. 

1 Ion 

2 Fazio 

3 The Lady oi Lyon* 

4 Richelieu 

5 The Wife 

6 The Honeymoon 

7 The School for Scandal 

8 Money 

VOL. II. 

9 The Stranger 

10 Grandfather Whitehead 

11 Richard III 

12 Love’s Sacrifice 

13 The Gamester 

14 A Cure for the Heartache 

15 The Hunchback 

16 Don Caesar de Bazan 

VOL. HI. 

17 The Poor Gentleman 
13 Hamlet 

19 Charles II 

20 Venice Preserved 

21 Pizarro 

22 The Love Chase 

23 Othello 

24 Lend me Five Shillings 

VOL. IV. 

25 Virginias 

26 King of the Commons 

27 Loudon Assurance 

28 The Rent Day 

29 Two Gentlemen ofVerona 

30 The Jealous Wife 

31 The Rivals 

32 Perfection 

VOL. V. [Debts 

33 A New Way to Pay Old 

34 Look Before You Leap 

35 King John 

36 Nervous Man 

37 Damon and Pvthias 

38 Clandestine Marriage 

39 William Tell 

40 Day after the Wedding 

VOL. VI. 

41 Speed the Plough 

42 Romeo and Juliet 

43 Feudal Times 

44 Charles the Twelfth 

45 The Bride 

46 The Follies of a Night 

47 Iron Chest [Fair Lady 

48 Faint Heart Never Won 

VOL. VII. 

49 Road to Ruin 

50 Macbeth 

51 Temper 
62 Evadne 

53 Bertram • 

54 The Duenna 

55 Much Ado About Nothing 
66 The Critic 

VOL. VIII. 

57 The Apostate 

68 Twelfth Night 

69 Brutus 

60 Simpson & Co 

61 Merchant of Venice 

62 Old HeadsA Young Hearts 

63 Mountaineers [riage 

64 Three Weeks after Mar 

VOL. IX. 

65 Love 

66 As You Like It 

67 The Elder Brother 

68 Werner 

69 Gisippus 

70 Town and Country 

71 King Lear 

72 Blue Devils 

VOL. X. 

73 Henry VIII 

74 Married and Single 

75 Henrv IV 

76 Paul Pry 

77 Guy Mannering 

78 Sweethearts and Wives 

79 Serious Family 

80 She Stoops to Conquer 


VOL. XI. 

81 Julius Ca;sar 

82 Vicar of Wakefield 

83 Leap Year 

84 The Catspaw 

65 The Passing Cloud 

86 Drunkard 

87 Rob Roy 

88 George Barnwell 

VOL. XII. 

89 Ingomar 

90 Sketches in India 

91 Two Friends 
9/ Jane Shore 

93 Corsican Brothers 

94 Mind your own Business 

95 Writing on the Wall 

96 Heir at Law 

VOL. XIII. 

97 Soldier’s Daughter 
9' Douglas 

99 Marco Spada 

100 Nature’s Nobleman 

101 Sardanapalus 

102 Civilization 

103 The Robbers 

104 Katharine and Petruchio 
VOL. XIV. 

105 Game of Love 

106 Midsummer Night’s 

107 Ernestine [Dream 

108 Rag Picker of Paris 

109 Flying Dutchman 

110 Hypocrite 

1 1 1 Tterese 

112 La Tour de Nesle 
VOL. XV. 

113 Ireland As It Is 

114 Sea of Ice 

1 15 Seven Clerks 

116 Game of Life 

117 Forty Thieves 

118 Bryan Boroihme 

119 Romance and Reality 

120 Ugolino 
VOL. XVI. 

121 The Tempest 

122 The Pilot 

123 Carpenter of Rouen 
4 King’s Rival 

125 Little Treasure 

126 Dombey and Son 
12" Parents and Guardians 
li8 Jewess 

VOL. XVII. 

129 Camille 

130 Married Life 

131 Wenlock of Wenlock 

132 Rose of Ettrickvale 

133 David Copperfield 

134 Aline, or the Rose of 
i 35 Pauline [Killarney 

136 Jane Eyre 

VOL. XVIII. 

137 Night and Morning 

138 .Ethiop 

139 Three Guardsmen 

140 Tom Cringle 

141 Henriette. the Forsaken 

142 Eustache Baudin 

143 Ernest Maltravers 

144 Bold Dragoons 

VOL. XIX. 

145 Dred, or the Dismal 

[Swamp 

146 Last Days of Pompeii 

147 Esmeralda 

148 Peter Wilkins 

149 Ben the Boatswain 

150 Jonathan Bradford 

151 Retribution 

152 Minerali 

VOL. XX. 

153 French Spy 

154 Wept of Wish-ton Wish 

155 Evil Genius 

156 Ben Bolt 

157 Sailor of France 

158 Red Mask 

159 Life of an Actres* 

160 Wedding Day 


[Moscow 


VOL. XXL 

161 All’s Fair in Love 

162 Holer 

163 Self 

164 Cinderella 

165 Phantom 

166 Franklin 

167 The Gunmaker of 

168 The Love of a Prince 

VOL. XXII. 

169 Son of the Night 

170 Rory O’More 

171 Golden Eagle 

172 Rienzi 

173 Broken Sword 

174 Rip Van Winkle 

175 Isabelle 

176 Heart of Mid Lothian 
VOL. XXIII. 

177 Actress of Padua 

178 Floating Beacon 

179 Bride of Lammermoor 

180 Cataract of the Gauge* 

181 Robber of the Rhine 

182 School of Reform 

183 Wandering Boys 

184 Mazeppa 

VOL. XXIV. 

185 Young New York 

186 The Victims 

187 Romance after Marriage 

188 Brigand 

189 Poor of New York 
19u Ambrose Gwinett 

191 Raymond and Agnes 

192 Gambler's Fate 

VOL. XXV. 

193 F'ather and Son 

194 Massaniello 

195 Sixteen String Jack 

196 Youthful Queen 

197 Skeleton Witness 

198 Innkeeper of Abbeville 

199 Miller and his Men 
2UU Aladdin 

VOL. XXVI. 

201 Adrienne the Actreis 

202 Undine 

203 Jesse Brown 

204 Asmodeus 

205 Mormons 

206 Blanche of Brandywine 

207 Viola 

208 Deseret Deserted 
VOL. XXVII. 

209 Americans in Pari* 

210 Victorine 

211 Wizard of the Wave 

21 2 Castle Spectre 

213 Horse-shoe Robinson 
2K Armand, Mrs. Mowatt 
21 Fashion, Mrs. Mowatt 

216 Glance at New York 
VOL. XXVIII. 

217 Inconstant 

218 Uncle Tom’s Cabin 

219 Guide to the Stage 

220 Veteran 

221 Miller of New Jersey 

222 Dark Hour before Dawn 

223 Midsum’rNight’sDream 
[Laura Keene’s Edition 

224 Art and Artifice 
VOL. XXIX. 

225 Poor Young Man 

226 Ossawattomie Brown 

227 Pope of Rome 

228 Oliver Twist 

229 Pauvrette 

230 Man in the Iron Mask 

231 Knight of Arva 

232 Moil Pitcher 
VOL. XXX. 

233 Black Eyed Susan 

234 Satan in Paris 

235 Rosina Meadows [ess 

236 West End, or Irish Heir- 

237 Six Degrees of Crime 

238 The Lady and the Devil 

239 A venger, or Moor of Sici- 

240 Masks and Faces [ly 


( French's Standard Drama Continued on 3d page of Cover.) 


VOL. XXXI. 

241 Merry Wives of Wlnd*c 

242 Mary’s Birthday 

243 Shandy Maguire 

244 Wild Oat* 

245 Michael Erie 

246 Idiot Witnes* 

247 Willow Copse 

248 People’s Lawyer 

VOL. XXXII. 

249 The Boy Martyr* 

250 Lucretia Borgia 

251 Surgeon of Pari* 

252 Patrician’s Daughter 

253 Shoemaker of Toul use 

254 Momentous Question 

255 Love and Loyalty 

256 Robber’s Wife 
VOL. XXXIII. 

257 Dumb Girl of Genoa 
2o8 Wreck Ashore 

259 Clarl 

260 Rural Felicity 

261 Wallace- 

262 Madelaine 

263 The Fireman 

264 Grist to the Mill 
VOL. XXXIV. 

265 T wo Loves and a Li fe 

266 Annie Blake 

267 Steward 

268 Captain Kyd 

269 Nick of the Wood* 

270 Marble Heart 

271 Second Love 

272 Dream at Sea 
VOL. XXXV. 

273 Breach of Promise 

274 Review 

275 Lady of the Lake 

276 Stilf Water Runs Deep 

277 The Scholar 

278 Helping Hand* 

279 Faust and Marguerite 

280 Last Man 
VOL. XXXVT. 

281 Belle’s Stratagem 

282 Old and Young 

283 Raffaella 

284 Ruth Oakley 

286 British Sir ve 

2ft 6 A Life'* Ransom 

287 Giralda 

28 - Time Tries All 

VOL. XXXVII. 

289 Ella Rosenburg 
990 W arlock of the Glen 

291 Zelinn 

292 Beatrice 

293 Neighbor Jack wood 

294 Wonder 

295 Robert Emmet 

296 Green Bushes 

VOL. XXXVIII. 

297 Flowers oi the Forest 

298 A Bachelor of Arts 

299 The Midnight Banquet 

300 Husband ol in Hour 

301 Love’s Labor Lost 

302 Naiad Queen 

303 Caprice v 

304 Cradle of Liberty 
VOL. XXXIX. 

305 The Lost Shin 

306 Country Squire 

307 Fraud and its Victim* 

308 Putnam 

309 King and Deserter 

310 La F alumina 

311 A Hard Struggle 

312 Gwinnette Vaughan 

VOL. XL. 

313 The Love Knot [Judgi 

314 Lavater, or Not a Bat 

315 The Noble Heart 

316 Coriolanus 

317 The Winter’s Tale 

318 Eveleen Wilson 

319 Ivanhoe 

320 Jonathan in England 


SAMUEL FRENCH, 26 West 22 d Street, New York City. 


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